They Found a Cave

They Found a Cave by Nan Chauncy tells the story of four English orphans—Cherry, Nigel, Brick, and Nippy—who migrate to Tasmania. They move to the care of their Aunt Jandie on her farm outside Hobart. Their arrival is greeted with enthusiasm by young farm boy Tas, and weeks of exploration and good times follow.

Their adventures come to a halt when Aunt Jandie is hospitalised, leaving the children in the care of Ma and Pa Pinner, her foreman and housekeeper. A few days of tyrannical treatment by the Pinners force the children to seek refuge in a secret cave, where they set up home to await Aunt Jandie's return.

Despite Pa's repeated efforts to recapture them, the children remain in hiding, fending for themselves in the bush. The tension escalates when Nigel's secret trip to town uncovers a plot by the Pinners to abandon the farm and swindle Aunt Jandie.